National Diabetes Week 2016 with Diabetes SA

10-16 July is National Diabetes Week, Diabetes SA  explains their organisation’s role in the South Australian community and the importance of the week ahead.

Diabetes SA aims to support all people living with diabetes through the provision of education and information. Whether newly diagnosed or having had diabetes for some time people turn to our organisation for support to manage their condition. We understand the daily challenges the condition presents.

National Diabetes Week (10 – 16 July) aims to raise the awareness of diabetes in the community. Diabetes is Australia's fastest growing chronic condition and there are more than 100,000 South Australians diagnosed with diabetes (as at 31 March 2016).

This year’s focus is on increasing the awareness and greater understanding of diabetes while highlighting the many different aspects of diabetes management to support people and families affected by diabetes.

The key messages are:

• Understanding the difference between type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes;

• Understanding a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes through promotion of the Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment (AusDrisk) Tool;

• Understanding how a healthy lifestyle can help manage or reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease

The number of people diagnosed with type 2 continues to grow:

• We also know that for every person diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, there is an undiagnosed person out there in the community with type 2 diabetes.

• Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed in up to 58% of cases through early detection and lifestyle modification.

Find out more about National Diabetes Week, visit www.diabetessa.com.au for more information.